TIA Fights Back Against FMCSA Comments on National Standard for Selecting Carriers

On Tuesday, July 9, TIA President & CEO Bob Voltmann responded by letter to Ray Martinez, the Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Administrator Martinez recently offered remarks opposing a National Motor Carrier Selection Standard, indicating that such a standard was not necessary as the Agency would refine data that should then be interpreted by entities to determine whether they will hire a motor carrier.

In the letter, Voltmann emphasizes that Congress and FMCSA have recognized the flaws in CSA data, and that the agency should move forward to implement Congressionally mandated reforms. He adds that “TIA fully supports the agency and the intended purpose of CSA to compile data from roadside inspections and other data sources to develop a safety fitness determination.”  However, “if the agency cannot interpret CSA data, it should not be used by anyone” and that shippers and 3PLs should not be “deputized to police the motor carrier population.”  That should be the job of the Agency.

 TIA understands the problems that arise when FMCSA makes flawed data publicly available, forcing companies that should have a clear indication of motor carrier safety from the Agency to risk their livelihoods in the event of an accident. That is why TIA has fought, on behalf of not only the 3PL industry, but also for every single company that selects a motor carrier as a part of their business process, to establish the first-ever clear safety standard for selecting a carrier. TIA will continue to push Congress and the Agency to improve the Safety Fitness Determination process and to keep flawed data out of public view, so that companies can engage in interstate commerce without sacrificing certainty or putting their businesses at risk.

To view the letter, click here. 

For more information on this important issue, please contact Chris Burroughs at burroughs@tianet.org or 703-299-5700.